Disposable wipes with treatment agent safely formed insitu

ABSTRACT

A wipe that can be used deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize an object. A wipe manipulator may be used with a wipe to create, energize, or enhance one or more treatment agent in a wipe to improve its efficacy. Desirably, a wipe manipulator is flexible to accommodate to curved surfaces. A wipe includes a flexible membrane or cloth-like element that may apply, distribute, and/or remove a treatment agent to, over, or from a surface of the object. An enhanced treatment agent, such as peracetic acid, may be applied to the surface subsequent to being formed in the wipe as a result of installation of the wipe onto a manipulator, or otherwise activating the wipe. A wipe manipulator may include one or more rechargeable reservoir to contain and apply a synergistic treatment agent to the wipe to create the enhanced treatment agent.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. utilityapplication Ser. No. 15/879,217, filed Jan. 24, 2018, and titled“DISPOSABLE WIPES WITH PERACETIC ACID TREATMENT AGENT”, which is acontinuation-in-part of the U.S. utility application Ser. No.15/435,116, filed Feb. 16, 2017, and titled “DISPOSABLE WIPES FORENERGIZED TREATMENT AGENT”, which is a continuation-in-part of theInternational Application Serial No. PCT/US2015/067540, filed Dec. 27,2015, and titled “DISPOSABLE WIPES FOR OPTIONAL DISINFECTION,DEODORIZATION, AND/OR STERILIZATION AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF”, whichclaims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/098,277, filed Dec. 30, 2014, entitled“DISPOSABLE WIPES FOR OPTIONAL DISINFECTION, DEODORIZATION, AND/ORSTERILIZATION”, and Ser. No. 62/164,640, filed on May 21, 2015, and alsoentitled “DISPOSABLE WIPES FOR OPTIONAL DISINFECTION, DEODORIZATION,AND/OR STERILIZATION”; the application Ser. No. 15/435,116 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. utility application Ser. No. 14/314,862,titled “ANTI-MICROBIAL DISINFECTANT WIPE AND METHOD OF USE”, filed onJun. 25, 2014, which claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/839,986, filed on Jun. 27,2013, titled “ANTI-MICROBIAL DISINFECTANT WIPE AND METHOD OF USE”, andSer. No. 61/846,164, filed on Jul. 15, 2013, titled“ELECTROCHEMICALLY-ACTIVATED ANTI-MICROBIAL DISINFECTANT WIPE AND METHODOF USE”, each of which is incorporated by this reference as though setforth herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for optionallydisinfecting, deodorizing, and/or sterilizing various objects by wipingthe object with a treatment wipe. Embodiments may include a wipe holderthat is structured to improve the efficacy of e.g., commerciallyavailable disinfecting wipes. Certain wipe holders energize treatmentagent to promote the presence of hydroxyl radicals, or ions, such asSilver ions or chloride ions, or introduce micro-, micron- or nano-sizedparticles of treatment agent, or peracetic acid, at the time and placeof desired treatment. Sometimes, an applicator is used to applyenergized treatment agent to a surface or to create the energizedtreatment agent on a wipe, and a wipe may spread and/or remove treatmentagent from the surface.

BACKGROUND

Currently, a wide range of equipment and methods are available todisinfect or sterilize objects and surfaces in residential, industrial,commercial, hospital, hotel, and food processing environments. Exemplarytreatment devices for treatment of objects, and methods of use for thosetreatment devices, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,486, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated as a portion of thisdisclosure by reference. A document disclosing characterization and useof Peroxone as a treatment substance is available on the world wide webat epa.gov/ogwdw/mdbp/pdf/alter/chapt_7.pdf. Although directed generallytoward treatment of water, the aforementioned document is alsoincorporated by reference as a portion of this disclosure. Variouschemical reactions and structures for generating Hydroxyl radicals andother deodorizing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing elements aredisclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/090,799, theentire disclosure of which is also hereby incorporated by reference as aportion of this disclosure.

Unfortunately, the state of the art products and equipment fordisinfecting, deodorizing and/or sterilizing are confined to productsbest suited to use in a commercial or industrial environment, due toincreased expense and cumbersome methods and chemicals. In view of theforegoing, what is needed are products, equipment and methods fortreating (e.g. disinfecting, deodorizing, and/or sterilizing) surfacesof objects which are simple to use, less expensive, and moreenvironmentally friendly.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be embodied to provide a one-time-use, disposable wipefor use in optionally deodorizing, disinfecting, or sterilizing anobject. An exemplary wipe includes a first substrate comprising aflexible membrane. Typically, a first treatment agent, such as achemical element or compound, is either associable with, or carried by,the first substrate. A second chemical element or compound may alsoeither be associable with, or carried by, the first substrate. Preferredembodiments are structured to produce peracetic acid at the time of useof the wipe.

In one embodiment, the first substrate is structured to carry atreatment agent formed as a product of a chemical reaction resultingfrom combination of a first chemical element or compound and a secondchemical element or compound at the time of use, and at the location ofuse, of the wipe to deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize an object. Incertain preferred embodiments, a wipe carries hydrogen peroxide, aholder carries acetic acid, and an on-the-spot treatment agent includesperacetic acid.

The invention may be embodied in an apparatus including a wipe-holderwith a body and a handle affixed to the body. The body can carry aremovable reservoir structured to couple with structure associated withthe body. A workable reservoir is configured and arranged, uponinstallation of the reservoir in registration with the body, to disposea wipe-support surface proud of the body to ensure that a disposablewipe carried there-on will contact a surface to be cleaned ordisinfected. In certain embodiments, the reservoir includes a materialstructured to up-take a liquid first treatment agent and dispense thatfirst treatment agent to a disposable wipe at the wipe-support surface.The wipe-holder is generally used in combination with a disposable wipeto deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize a portion of an object at atreatment site.

Generally, the disposable wipe carries a second treatment agent, and thefirst treatment agent is selected to combine with the second treatmentagent to synergistically form a third treatment agent having enhancedbiocidal efficacy compared to either the first or second treatmentagent, alone. In certain embodiments, first treatment agent is aceticacid, the second treatment agent is hydrogen peroxide, and the thirdtreatment agent is peracetic acid.

One workable reservoir is structured to dispense first treatment agentin misted or vapor phase. An alternative reservoir may be structured todispense first treatment agent in liquid phase. One currently preferredreservoir includes a styrene-based and/or a butadiene-based polymer orrubber. A reservoir may include a high surface area material. In certainembodiments, the reservoir is structured as an applicator to dispensetreatment agent to a treatment site independent of the presence of awipe. Sometimes, a reservoir may encompass an absorbent sponge, such asa commercially available cellulose sponge.

A holder may be configured to provide a structural interference betweenstructure associated with the body and structure associated with aninstalled reservoir. Generally, the holder also includes a retainingmechanism to resist decoupling of the body and reservoir. A preferredholder is structured to dispose a user hand-gripping portion disposedsubstantially in parallel to the wipe-support surface. In certainembodiments, the holder is compliant to dispose the wipe for contact toirregular and curved surfaces.

The invention may be embodied in a method including providing awipe-holder, providing a charged reservoir, installing the chargedreservoir in registration with the body with the reservoir providing awipe-support surface; and using the holder in combination with aninstalled disposable wipe to rub the wipe over a surface to clean and/orto disinfect that surface. Typically, the holder and wipe combine toform a synergistic treatment product, such as peracetic acid. The methodmay also include removing the reservoir from the body, and placing theremoved reservoir into a quantity of treatment agent in a rechargingstep to recharge the reservoir. The recharged reservoir may then bereinstalled in registration with the body. Preferably, the rechargingstep is carried out at substantially room temperature.

The recharging step may include adsorbing treatment agent into a portionof the reservoir. The recharging step may include absorbing thetreatment agent into a portion of the reservoir. The recharging step mayinclude uptake of treatment agent by a portion of the reservoir througha diffusion, or other essentially atomic, or molecular-scale process. Ina preferred method, the recharging step includes placing the reservoirinto a quantity of household vinegar.

The invention may be embodied in a method including providing awipe-holder structured in harmony with a disposable wipe to modify afirst treatment agent carried by the wipe. A first treatment agent maybe selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and sodiumperoxide. The method may include forming peracetic acid from a portionof the first chemical treatment agent. The wipe-holder may include areservoir to dispense a second treatment agent, such as acetic acid, tothe disposable wipe. The method may also include placing a disposablewipe in operable registration with the reservoir to form an enhancedtreatment agent, such as peracetic acid. A further step includestreating a surface of an object by moving the holder to rub the surfacewith the enhanced treatment agent formed in the disposable wipe as aproduct of the first treatment agent and the second treatment agent.Subsequently, the reservoir may be removed and recharged (e.g., withacetic acid) as desired.

In one embodiment of a wipe, the first chemical element or compound iscarried by a first substrate, and the second chemical element orcompound is also carried by the first substrate. Desirably, the firstand second chemical element or compound are selected from chemicallyreactive couples structured such that fluid applied to the firstsubstrate is effective to cause a chemical reaction, and consequently,to produce a treatment agent. A workable fluid may include water. Thefirst chemical element or compound and the second chemical element orcompound can be selected a make a couple set forth in the groupconsisting of (Sodium Chlorate and Citric acid; Citric acid and SilverCitrate; Alkali-Percarbonate and Magnesium Oxide; Sodium Chlorite andCitric acid; Quaternary Ammonium Salt and Calcium Hypochlorite;Alkali-perchlorate and UV light; Silver Chloride and UV light; IronSulfate and Alkali-percarbonate; stable Hydrogen Peroxide and IronSulfate; Hydrogen Peroxide and Acetic acid; Hydrogen Peroxide and SilverNitrate; and Hydrogen Peroxide and Alcohol, specifically includingBenzyl alcohol).

In another embodiment, the first chemical element or compound is carriedby the first substrate, and the second chemical element or compound iscarried by a dispenser independent from the first substrate. Thatdispenser is generally structured to apply the second chemical elementor compound to the substrate. Again, the first and second chemicalelement or compound may be selected from chemically reactive couplessuch that application of the second chemical element or compound by thedispenser to the first substrate is effective to cause a chemicalreaction that forms a treatment agent. A preferred treatment agentincludes peracetic acid.

In another embodiment, both of the first and second chemical element orcompound are carried by a dispenser independent from the firstsubstrate. The dispenser can be structured to apply the first and secondchemical element or compound to the first substrate to form an activatedwipe. Again, the first and second chemical element or compound aretypically selected from chemically reactive couples such thatapplication of the first and second chemical element or compound by thedispenser to the first substrate is effective to cause the chemicalreaction. One exemplary dispenser includes a spray bottle, which can bea multi-compartment bottle. Another dispenser can be incorporated into ahandle that can be used to hold and operate the wipe during a cleaningprocess.

Sometimes, a biocidal compound or element may carried on a wipe, orotherwise introduced to a treatment area by an applicator. A workablebiocidal compound or element may be selected from the group including(Triclosan; Chlorine dioxide; Hydroxyl radicals; Silver citrate; SodiumChlorate or Sodium Chlorite; Alkali percarbonate; or Sodiumdichloroisocynurate; and quaternary ammonium compounds).

In another embodiment, a wipe may be formed by stacking in physicalcontact, or juxtaposing, a plurality of substrates. For example, a firstchemical element or compound may be carried by a first substrate, and asecond chemical element or compound may be carried by a secondsubstrate. Desirably, the first and second chemical element or compoundare selected from chemically reactive couples structured such thatjuxtaposition of the first and second substrates in the presence ofmoisture can be effective to cause a chemical reaction that produces adesired treatment agent. Sometimes, the chemical reaction may furtherrequire application of moisture to the wipe.

A multi-layer wipe may be formed by extraction of a plurality ofprepared substrates from one or more dispenser. In one example, adispenser may include a first chamber and a second chamber. The firstchamber may hold a plurality of flexible substrates, each such substratebeing removable from the first chamber to form a first substrate. Thesecond chamber can also hold a plurality of flexible substrates, eachsuch substrate being removable to form a second substrate. In apreferred arrangement, a dispenser is structured to facilitatesimultaneous dispensation of substrates from a first compartment and asecond compartment to automatically produce successive sets ofjuxtaposed first and second substrates. In certain embodiments, one orboth of the first and second chambers may contain excess fluid tomaintain the respective substrates in a damp condition. In a preferredembodiment, a first chamber holds Hydrogen peroxide wipe substrates, anda second chamber holds acetic acid wipe substrates. Therefore, acombined pair of substrates automatically creates a multi-layer wipethat forms peracetic acid at the time the respective substrates arecombined. Sometimes, paired substrates may be dispensed in dampcondition, ready for use. Other times, paired substrates may be wettedby a fluid prior to use.

A wipe may sometimes be used with a holder structured to facilitate orcause a chemical reaction that makes a treatment agent. Sometimes, aholder may operate on a treatment agent to place the agent into a morereactive, or effective form. For example, a holder may cause a treatmentagent to be dispersed into micro-, micron-, or nano-sized particles thatmay then be applied to the surface to be treated.

A wipe may also, or alternatively, be used with a holder structured toimpart an electrical charge onto the wipe, and/or introduce a plasma tothe wipe and its treatment agent effective to produce a chemicalcompound in radical form. A holder may even be configured to permit aplasma, or an alternative output from an energizing transducer, toparticipate in treatment of an object for deodorizing, disinfecting,and/or sterilizing. In certain cases, a biocidal agent may beadvantageously included in the wipe. Sometimes, a wipe includes orcarries a biocidal agent, and also may be structured to cause anon-board electrical charge generation operable to attract gram positiveand/or negative microbes to the biocidal agent.

In an alternative embodiment, an applicator may be employed to cause afluidized treatment agent to be dispersed into micro-, micron-, ornano-sized particles that may then be applied to the surface to betreated, and a wipe may be used to spread the treatment agent and/orremove the agent from the surface. In that case, a wipe may be embodiedin a simple paper towel, cotton cloth, or in some other fluid-absorbentmembrane-like element.

Certain wipes can be used by activating a wipe to cause a chemical orphysical reaction, and treating an object by physically spreading anenergized treatment agent (e.g., scrubbing a surface of the object),formed as a product of a chemical reaction or as a consequence of aphysical change imparted to the treatment agent, onto the object withthe wipe.

On the other hand, certain wipes may be substantially inert. Anexemplary inert wipe may be used to spread energized treatment agentover, and/or remove energized treatment agent from, a surface. Preferredtreatment agents include peracetic acid, Hydroxyl radicals and micron-or nano-sized particles of disinfectant chemicals. Operable disinfectantchemicals may include an Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Ammonium Quaternarycompounds, or bleaches such as Sodium Hypochlorite. A biocidal agent maybe included in a wipe to further enhance destruction of bacteria andmicrobes.

An embodiment forms an apparatus for cleaning, deodorizing,disinfecting, or sterilizing a surface of an object. One embodimentincludes a wipe to apply a first treatment agent to treat the object,the wipe to form the first treatment agent in the wipe at the time andplace of use of the wipe. Desirably, but not always, the wipe isdisposable. In some cases, the first treatment agent is unsafe fordirect contact with human skin.

The wipe may be used in combination with a wipe manipulator to move thewipe over the surface. A workable wipe manipulator may include a safetymechanism to resist formation of the first treatment agent until auser's hand is protected from contact with the first treatment agent.Sometimes, a wipe manipulator may be structured to apply a secondtreatment agent for combination with a third treatment agent, the secondtreatment agent and third treatment agent combining to form the firsttreatment agent.

A workable first treatment agent may be selected from the groupincluding Hydrogen Peroxide, peracetic acid, Chlorine Dioxide, SodiumHypochlorite, Hydroxyl radicals, Glutaraldehyde, Phenol, a mixture oftwo or more elements from this group, and the like. A second treatmentagent may include an element selected from the group of Acetic acid,vinegar, tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), and a mixture of two or moreelements from this group. A currently preferred third treatment agentincludes Hydrogen peroxide. One currently preferred first treatmentagent is Peracetic acid.

A workable second treatment agent includes solid mixtures of Sodiumacetate and Benzoic acid, or Sodium acetate and Citric acid. In thosecases, a cooperating third treatment agent includes Hydrogen Peroxide,and a resulting first treatment agent is Peracetic acid.

In another arrangement, a second treatment agent may be Sodium Chloriteor Sodium Chlorate in liquid solution. A cooperating third treatmentagent is then a mild acid, such as Citric acid or dilute Hydrochloricacid, and the resulting first treatment agent is Chlorine Dioxide.

In other cases, the second treatment agent can include an elementselected from the group including UV light, Ferrous Sulfate, and Ozone.A cooperating third treatment agent is Hydrogen Peroxide, and theresulting first treatment agent is Hydroxyl radicals.

Some embodiments of a wipe manipulator may include a first reservoir. Afirst reservoir can hold a quantity of a second treatment agent forcombination with a third treatment agent carried by the wipe, and thesecond treatment agent and the third treatment agent may combine to formthe first treatment agent. Certain wipe manipulators may carry a firstreservoir and a second reservoir, the first reservoir to hold a quantityof a second treatment agent, the second reservoir to hold a quantity ofa third treatment agent, the second treatment agent and the thirdtreatment agent combining to form the first treatment agent. The firstreservoir may sometimes hold a quantity of a second treatment agent inliquid solution. It is within contemplation that a wipe manipulator maycarry a plurality of reservoirs to hold a plurality of different fluids,elements, or compounds for application to a wipe.

The first reservoir may hold a quantity of a second treatment agent andbe structured to permit off-gas application of the second treatmentagent from the first reservoir to combine with a third treatment agentto form the first treatment agent in the wipe.

Desirably, the wipe manipulator includes a wipe support surface that istransversely flexible to accommodate wiping a curved surface. A workablewipe manipulator may include a portion of a glove or mitten. Sometimes,a wipe manipulator may carry, or inherently possess, a dischargemechanism to dispense the second treatment agent at a desired rate andquantity. In some cases, the wipe manipulator may include a safetymechanism that normally disposes a structural barrier between a user'shand and a location of formation of the first treatment agent. A wipemanipulator may carry one or more of a mechanical actuator, switch,controls, and other electronic elements, power source, and the like, topermit a user to effect discharge of a treatment agent on-demand.

Certain embodiments include a wipe manipulator to move a wipe over thesurface of an object to be treated, the wipe manipulator beingstructured to carry and apply a second treatment agent for combinationwith a third treatment agent, the second treatment agent and thirdtreatment agent combining to form the first treatment agent, the wipemanipulator including a safety mechanism to resist formation of thefirst treatment agent until a user's hand is protected from contact withthe first treatment agent, the wipe manipulator further including a wipesupport surface that is sufficiently transversely flexible as to enableusing the wipe support surface to wrap a wipe around about 270 degreesof the circumference of a curved surface of a ½ inch diameter rod.

A workable wipe manipulator may be structured as a glove or mitten toreceive a human hand in a substantially enclosed volume. A wipemanipulator may also include an exposed surface of a first reservoir tosupport a wipe and formed from a material capable of temporarily andinternally holding a second treatment agent to permit off-gas release ofthe second treatment agent for combination with a third treatment agentin the wipe, the second treatment agent and third treatment agentcombining to form the first treatment agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate what are currently regarded as thebest modes for carrying out the invention:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view in elevation of a first disposable treatmentwiper structured according to certain principles of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view in elevation of a second disposable wiper, incombination with a spray bottle of solution;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view in elevation of a third disposable wipe, incombination with a Hydroxyl radical-generating wipe-holder;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view in elevation of a fourth disposable wipe;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view in elevation of a fifth disposable wipe;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view in elevation of a sixth disposable wipe;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view in elevation of a seventh disposable wipe;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view in elevation of a eighth disposable wipe;

FIGS. 9 through 13 are pictorial views in elevation of additionaldisposable wipes, each wipe being in combination with a spray bottle ofsolution;

FIG. 14 is a pictorial view in elevation of a disposable wipe incombination with an alternative workable generator of Hydroxyl radicals;

FIG. 15 is a pictorial view of a multi-compartment embodiment of a wipe;

FIG. 16 is a pictorial view of another embodiment including a holder andwipe that incorporates a positive charge dispenser;

FIG. 17 is a pictorial view of another embodiment including a holder andwipe that incorporates a dual charge dispenser;

FIG. 18 is a pictorial view of another embodiment including a holder andvarious wipes that incorporate a thermal element;

FIG. 19 is a pictorial view of still another embodiment including aholder that incorporates a UV element and a cooperating wipe;

FIG. 20 is a pictorial plan view of another embodiment of a wipe;

FIG. 21 is a pictorial side view of a workable manufacturing process tomake a wipe similar to that illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a pictorial view of an embodiment with an on-board chargegenerator;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are pictorial views in elevation of wipe embodiments inassociation with wipe component dispensers;

FIG. 25 is a first pictorial view in elevation of an applicator oftreatment agent to a plurality of wipes;

FIG. 26 is a second pictorial view in elevation of an applicator oftreatment agent to a plurality of wipes;

FIG. 27 is a pictorial view of a workable energizing wipe holder that iscompliant to accommodate to irregular or non-flat surfaces;

FIG. 28 illustrates a wipe installed on the embodiment of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a pictorial view of another embodiment, generallyillustrating one or more energizing transducers associated with aholder, and particularly illustrating an energizing transducer adaptedto generate a cold plasma;

FIG. 30 is a pictorial view of another embodiment, having an energizingtransducer adapted to modify particulate size of treatment agent that isapplied to a surface;

FIG. 31 is a side view of an applicator of treatment agent incombination with a wipe;

FIG. 32 is an exploded assembly view of a wipe in combination withanother embodiment of a wipe holder having a dispensing reservoir;

FIG. 33 is a side view of a charging operation for a reservoir such asthat illustrated in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a plan view of an alternative wipe;

FIG. 35 is an end view of the wipe in FIG. 34, but folded to adeployment condition;

FIG. 36 illustrates a manufacturing process that may be employed tocreate a wipe according to certain aspects of the invention;

FIG. 37 is a view in perspective of an alternative wipe holder and wipe;

FIG. 38 is a view in perspective of another alternative wipe holder andwipe;

FIG. 39 illustrates another wipe;

FIG. 40 is a top plan view of a wipe and a wipe manipulator;

FIG. 41 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a side view in section of the embodiment in FIG. 40illustrated in use to treat a cylinder;

FIG. 44 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a wipemanipulator and a wipe;

FIG. 45 is a side view in section of the embodiment of FIG. 44; and

FIG. 46 is a side view in section of an alternative wipe structured as apocket or mitten.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Certain preferred embodiments are structured to apply one or moretreatment agent to a surface for purpose of cleaning, disinfection,deodorization, and/or sterilization of that surface. Treatment agentsmay nonexclusively include one or more of Hydroxyl radicals, Hydrogenperoxide, acetic acid, peracetic acid, biocidal agent, and the like. Oneembodiment according to certain principles of the invention may becharacterized as a Fenton cleaning wipe. Desirably, a cleaning wipe is alow-cost element, and can therefore be discarded after a single use. Awipe may be structured for activation at the time of use to generate oneor more treatment agent at the location of use of the wipe to treat anobject.

An exemplary Fenton cleaning wipe includes two or more reactive chemicalelectrodes, which may be carried by a body formed from flexiblepolymeric or cellulosic material. A workable body may be structured as aflexible membrane made from e.g., paper, cloth, sponge, sponge-likematerials, and the like. The chemicals may be carried on the body,embedded in the body, or carried in one or more pockets formed in thebody, or the like. Typically, the electrodes are separated from eachother in some fashion, such as by a space, gap, or divider formed bysufficiently inert material. Sometimes, one electrode is carried on thebody, and a mating pair element to that electrode is applied by anapplicator. When activated (e.g., by moisture such as tap water, or areactive fluid), the electrodes react with each other and generate acleaning solution that can be applied to a surface or object. Dependingon the amount of reactive chemicals present, the wipe can be used fordeodorization, disinfection or sterilization. Sometimes, a wipe mayinclude abrasive materials to facilitate deeper cleaning of a surface orobject.

An exemplary treatment wipe, generally 100, is illustrated in FIG. 1.The treatment wipe 100 in FIG. 1 is a two-electrode embodiment,generally 101, and includes first electrode 102 and second electrode 104carried by a body 106. First electrode 102 may include a percarbonatecompound, such as any alkali-percarbonate. Second electrode 104 mayinclude a Fenton catalyst, such as Iron sulfate (FeSO₄) or Iron sulfite(FeSO₃). Either one or both of electrodes 102, 104 may be essentiallypainted-on, or somehow printed-onto or adhered to, body 106. It isalternatively within contemplation that the electrodes 102, 104 canvariously be embedded into, or carried in compartments formed in, thebody 106.

A body 106 may be formed as a single or multi-layer structure. In thelatter case, one side or layer may be structured to provide a barrier(such as a moisture, or chemically-resistant, barrier) between a user'shand and the reactive compounds to be applied to a surface. The otherside may be structured to facilitate communication of water or reactivefluid between the electrodes 102, 104, and/or application of one or moretreatment agent onto the object to be treated. One or more pocket may beformed between layers in which to hold substances that may formtreatment agents.

A treatment wipe 100 may include a variety of different electrode pairsor reactive chemical couples. For non-limiting examples, pairs ofelectrodes may include: Sodium Chlorate and Citric acid; Citric acid andSilver Citrate; Alkali-Percarbonate and Magnesium Oxide; Sodium Chloriteand Citric acid; Quaternary Ammonium Salt and Calcium Hypochlorite;Alkali-perchlorate and UV light; Silver Chloride and UV light; IronSulfate and Alkali-percarbonate; stable Hydrogen Peroxide and IronSulfate; Hydrogen Peroxide and Silver Nitrate; Hydrogen Peroxide and oneor more Alcohol such as Benzyl alcohol, Methyl alcohol, Ethyl alcohol,and the like; a biocidal conducting electrode with a positive electricalcharge dispenser; a biocidal conducting electrode with a negativeelectrical charge dispenser; and a pair of biocidal conductingelectrodes with cooperating positive and negative electrical chargedispensers to simultaneously attract and kill both gram positive andgram negative bacteria or microbes.

Activation of a chemical reaction to produce a treatment reactionproduct or agent (e.g. a biocidal disinfecting or sterilizing agent) istypically accomplished at the time of a treatment. Wipes may be storedin a substantially inert form, and activated just before, or during, useto treat an object. Activation may sometimes be accomplished byapplication of a fluid to the dry electrodes 102, 104. Operable fluidscan include tap water or sometimes a fluidized chemical reagent. Certainembodiments may include, or otherwise be associated with, an optional UVlight or chemical element such as Ozone. Further, one or more abrasivematerial may be applied to, or included with, one or more of theelectrodes 102, 104. It is within contemplation to include a catalyst topromote reaction speed for the resulting chemical reaction of theabove-listed and alternative operational pairings or couples. It isfurther within contemplation to include one or more additional agent toenhance biocidal activity of an electrode 102 or 104. For example,Triclosan may be included in any one of the electrodes.

Alternative embodiments of a wipe 100 may include a single dry electrodeincluding one electrode of the above-listed electrode pairs, and afluidized activation agent including a mating chemical electrodecompound to the dry electrode. The wipe 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 isexemplary of such a single-electrode wipe, generally indicated at 108.Wipe 108 has a single electrode 110 carried on wipe body 106.

A fluid source, generally 112, carries a cooperating reactive substance114 to generate a treatment agent (which may include biocidal compounds,such as Hydroxyl radicals), when combined with electrode 110. A workablefluid source 112 includes spray bottle 116. For example, if theelectrode 110 includes an alkali-percarbonate, a cooperating fluidsubstance 114 may be a Fenton catalyst in solution, such as IronSulfate. In a different case, the single electrode wipe 108 may carry adry citric acid while the spray device 112 may apply a Sodium Chloritesolution onto the wipe 108 at the time and point of use to create abiocidal Chlorine dioxide compound for deodorization, disinfection,and/or sterilization of an object.

It should be understood that a wipe 100, 101, 108 is typically used as adevice operable to spread or apply one or more treatment agent onto thesurface of an object. Part of a wipe 100 may apply a fluid to an objectto be treated, and another part of the wipe 100 may absorb the fluidalong with undesired elements.

As indicated in FIG. 3, a disposable wipe 100, such as the one-electrodewipe 108, may be carried by a re-usable wipe-holder, generally indicatedat 120. The one-electrode wipe 108 may be considered as a disposablecleaning element, somewhat like a commercially available “SwifferSweeper”™, but more aggressive in that the wipe 108 can also disinfectand/or sterilize a surface. A workable wipe holder 120 may simplystretch the wipe 108 into a planar, or any other desired, shape. Anotheroperable wipe-holder 120 may include a spray device to introducemoisture (including tap water) or a reactive element to interact withone or more compound carried by a wipe 108.

The wipe-holder 120 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a short horizontalhandle 122 structured to hold in a user's hand, like an iron. It iswithin contemplation that a handle 122 may be configured for anyparticular use. For example, an alternative handle 122 may be embodiedas an elongate shaft, like a broomstick or mop handle.

The illustrated wipe-holder 120 also includes a switch 124 that couplesa power source, such as batteries 126, to operate a UV light 128. Incombination with an exemplary wipe 108 that carries e.g. Sodium- (orother Alkali-) percarbonate or perborate, the holder 120 can generateHydroxyl radicals to deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize a surface orobject. A fluid source may also be included in a holder 120 to introducemoisture or a reactive element to a wipe 108. Sometimes, a wipe holder120 may include one or more catalyst 130. Currently preferred catalystmaterials include Nano Titanium Oxide and Nano Gallium Nitride wires ortubes.

An alternative holder 120 for a wipe 100 may include a surface coronadischarge unit for UV generation, and/or ozone generation. A furtheralternative holder 120 may generate Ozone. The Ozone generator providesand directs Ozone to react with a chemical compound carried by a wipe100, which in turn, generates disinfecting or sterilizing fluid in thewipe. Another alternative holder 120 within contemplation generates hightemperature steam, which may be applied to either or both of the wipe100 and surface to be treated. A still further alternative holder 120may dispense an Iron-based catalyst to interact with a chemical compoundcarried on a disposable wipe 100. A Fenton reaction may thereby becreated in the wipe 100 to produce Hydroxyl radicals for treatment ofthe desired surface or object.

Another alternative holder 120 for a wipe 100 includes an electricalcharge delivery capability to a wipe 100 that is coated with electricalconducting materials, including metals and nonmetals. One operableembodiment 100 can be coated with carbon, or carbon paper may form thewipe itself. Most microbial cells and biological surfaces are negativelycharged. In a fluid environment, a positively charged wipe 100 attractsnegatively charged bacteria and microbes, and vice versa. If the wipe100 contains a biocidal chemical, then attracted orotherwise-encountered bacteria or microbes will be killed. For example,if a treatment wipe 100 has a biocidal agent (such as Silver citrate;Sodium Chlorate or Sodium Cholite; Alkali percarbonate; or Sodiumdichloroisocynurate) disposed in an electrically conductive electrode,then putting an electric charge on such a wipe will attract and killoppositely charged bacteria or microbes at, or sufficiently near to,that electrode. In alternative arrangements, simply scrubbing or rubbinga surface with a disposable wipe 100 may cause same-charge bacteria ormicrobes to encounter the killing zone associated with a biocidal agentand its electrode, or the wipe 100, itself.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate a variety of workable configurations for adisposable wipe 100. Typically, the electrode(s) is/are imparted asufficient amount of fluid, such as tap water or other activation agent,to initiate a reaction to form an active ingredient that can deodorize,disinfect, and/or sterilize a surface or object. The two-electrode wipe101 in FIG. 4 illustrates the case when first electrode 102 includes apercarbonate, and second electrode 104 includes Magnesium oxide (MgO₂).The two-electrode wipe 101 in FIG. 5 illustrates the case when firstelectrode 102 includes a percarbonate (such as Sodium percarbonate), andsecond electrode 104 includes Citric acid, which can sometimes beessentially painted onto the wipe 100. FIG. 6 illustrates the case whenfirst electrode 102 includes Citric acid, and second electrode 104includes Silver Citrate.

FIG. 7 illustrates the case when first electrode 102 includes SodiumChlorite, and second electrode 104 includes Citric acid. Again, theelectrodes may be painted onto the wipe 100, and then dried for storageand transportation to a site of use. Upon wetting, the electrodes ofwipe 100 in FIG. 7 combine to form Sodium Citrate plus Chlorous acid(HClO₂). FIG. 8 illustrates first electrode 102 including SodiumChlorate, and second electrode 104 includes Citric acid. Upon wetting,the two electrodes of wipe 100 in FIG. 8 combine to form Sodium Chlorate(NaClO₃).

The single-electrode embodiments 108 in FIGS. 9-12 illustrate workablecombinations of a disposable treatment wipe 100 that carries one or morechemical compound, and a fluidized activation agent, generally 132, thatis combined with the wipe 100. In FIG. 9, electrode 102 may be madefrom, or include, Citric Acid that is painted, or otherwise applied tothe single-electrode wipe 108, and then dried. A cooperating fluidizedsubstance 114 may include: Sodium Chlorite; Sodium Chlorate; CalciumChlorate; and/or Calcium Chlorite. Electrode 102 in FIG. 10 maysimilarly be, or include, Citric Acid, and activation substance 114 maybe an Alcali-Percarbonate. FIG. 11 illustrates the reverse situation,where electrode 102 may be, or include, an Alcali-Perchlorate, andactivation substance 114 includes Citric acid. Electrode 102 in FIG. 12may be, or include, Calcium hypochlorite, and cooperating activationsubstance 114 may include an Iron (II) Sulfate solution (FeSO₄).

An exemplary alternative embodiment also illustrated by FIGS. 10-12includes a commercially available damp wipe 100 that carries Hydrogenperoxide as a first treatment agent. A spray bottle 116 may be used toapply another treatment agent (such as acetic acid or glycolic acid)included in compound 114 to the wipe 102 to form a third treatmentagent, such as peracetic acid.

Another alternative embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 10-12 includes thecase where wipe 100 carries a chemical compound that can form a firsttreatment agent, or maybe is a first treatment agent, and a cooperatingsubstance 114 that releases, activates, or makes available, the firsttreatment agent. Sometimes the substance 114 may further react with thefirst treatment agent to form a second or additional treatment agent.

For example, a wipe 100 may carry a chemical compound, such as Sodiumpercarbonate in dry form, and a cooperating substance 114 may includeglycolic or acetic acid in liquid form. Excess water in the substance114 may react with the Sodium percarbonate to form Hydrogen peroxide,and the acetic or glycolic acid portion of compound 114 may then reactwith a portion of the Hydrogen peroxide to form peracetic acid. In acase where Hydrogen peroxide is carried in dry form (such as adsorbedinto a high surface area material to form an essentially dry ordry-feeling powder, granule, pellet, bead, brick, or cake material),water in compound 114 may preferentially displace the Hydrogen peroxideto act as a first treatment agent, and if present, acetic or glycolicacid in compound 114 can also interact with the Hydrogen peroxide toform peracetic acid as a second treatment agent. It is withincontemplation that compound 114 can sometimes be or include tap water.

In certain other embodiments within contemplation, a fluid source mayinclude two or more chemical compounds that are separately stored, butwhen sprayed together onto a wipe (or directly onto a surface), generatea biocidal substance effective to disinfect and/or sterilize a surface.In that case, an operable wipe 100 may be embodied as a commerciallyavailable paper towel, or the like. An operable fluid source includes apair of spray bottles 116 (e.g., FIG. 2), or a single spray bottlehaving two or more containers with provision to dispense two or morechemical compounds simultaneously. A multi-compartment fluid source maybe included in a wipe holder, or simply used in conjunction with adisposable wipe 100.

For one example, one container may hold Sodium chlorite and anothercontainer may hold Citric acid. When sprayed together onto a wipe 108,Chlorine dioxide is created on the wipe 108, which can then be used tosterilize or disinfect a surface. A further non-limiting exampleincludes a fluid source with one container holding Iron catalyst insolution and Hydrogen peroxide in another container. When sprayedtogether onto a wipe (or even directly onto a surface), the Fentonreaction generates Hydroxyl radicals to disinfect or sterilize thesurface. In another embodiment, a spray bottle with either onecompartment or multiple compartments can generate a sterilizing agentfrom just one chemical or multiple chemicals in different compartmentsto generate sterilizing agent on demand to sterilize, or otherwisetreat, a surface.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate alternative embodiments, generally 134, thatgenerate a toxic, biocidal, or sterilizing agent on demand Versions ofthese embodiments may also include a wipe holder, be incorporated into awipe holder, or may otherwise be employed in combination with one ormore disposable wipe 100. FIG. 13 illustrates a spray bottle 116 adaptedto carry a UV light 128 for irradiating a stream of fluid 136 to permitdischarge of irradiated fluid 136A to dispose one or more treatmentagent on a wipe 100. UV light 128 may conveniently be powered by anon-board power source, such as battery 138, for untethered operation.Other times, UV light 128 may be powered by a conventionalcord-and-electric-outlet arrangement. Workable fluids 136 includeHydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and/or an Alkali-perchlorate solution.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment 134 in which UV light 128 isarranged to impinge onto a treatment agent precursor 140, such asAlkali-percarbonate. Moisture 142 is urged by a device (such as a fan144, pump, or other device), to flow through the irradiated zone, andproduce a treatment agent 146 that is applied to the treatment wipe 100.Elements of a device such as the device 134 in FIG. 14 may be operated,at least in part, by a control module 148. Control module 148 mayinclude an on-board power source, or communicate to a power source.

FIG. 15 illustrates a multi-compartment embodiment 150 of a treatmentwipe 100, which can be used separately, or in combination with a wipeholder 120. Multi-compartment wipe 150 includes a first compartment 152,second compartment 154, and third compartment 156. A compartment may bedefined by dividing walls, or even sometimes by a space disposed betweenquantities of chemical compounds or electrodes that may be carried invarious ways on a wipe 100. In one preferred embodiment 150, compartment152 carries an Alkali-percarbonate; compartment 154 carries Citric acid;and compartment 156 carries Iron Sulfate (FeSO₄).

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment including a wipe holder 120 and wipe100, wherein the wipe holder 120 operates as a positive chargedispenser. The wipe 100 illustrated in FIG. 16 includes a biocidalcarrying electrode 102 that is activated by the wipe holder 120. Thewipe holder 120 illustrated in FIG. 16 can put a positive charge on thewipe to attract gram negative bacteria and microbes. Certain embodimentsmay be structured such that, subsequently, or alternatively, or evensimultaneously, holder 120 may induce a negative charge on the wipe toattract gram positive bacteria or microbes. Once the bacteria ormicrobes are attracted and contact the wipe, a biocidal agent includedin the conductive electrode 102 kills all the bacteria or microbes.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a wipe holder 120 including both ofa positive electrode 158 and a negative electrode 160 to simultaneouslyapply positive and negative charge to different areas of a wipe 100. Theelectrodes 102 and 104 of two-electrode wipe 101 in FIG. 17 areelectrically conductive, and desirably each includes one or morebiocidal agent.

FIG. 18 illustrates still another embodiment of a wipe holder 120 and awipe 100, wherein the wipe holder 120 includes a thermal heating element162. Desirably, the thermally conductive surface 164 is capable ofattaining over 100 degrees Centigrade. A cooperating electrode, such aselectrode 102, may include Sodium Chlorite trihydrate, or SodiumChlorite trihydrate embedded into, or otherwise carried on the wipe 100.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment including a wipe holder 120 thatincorporates a UV lamp element 170 with a cooperating wipe 100. In thisarrangement, wipe 100 may carry one or more electrode 102 includingSodium Chlorite. Further, sometimes a catalyst, such as nano-TitaniumOxide (TiO₂) or nano-Galium Nitride (GaN) needles, tubes, wires, and thelike may also be included to enhance formation of one or more treatmentagent(s).

Disposable wipes 100, such as single-electrode wipe 101, or amulti-electrode wipe such as 108 or 150, can be manufactured in areel-to-reel process. Electrodes, or separate chemical compoundelements, may be applied to discrete body portions with a painting-type,or printing-type process as a ribbon of body material passes by.Individual wipes may then be sectioned from the ribbon, stacked, andpackaged, as desired.

With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, an alternative embodiment of adisposable treatment wipe can be constructed to generate alcohol whenactivated by water. With reference to FIG. 20, a treatment wipe 100 ofthis type provides a framework on which is carried a compound 176 thatgenerates an active cleaning, sterilizing, or deodorizing agent whencombined with a second element, such as water or other solvent. Asuitable framework can be formed by warp and weave fibers in a wovencloth, generally 178, or random strands, generally 180, arranged to forma membrane or pad, as well as many other substrates that can carry aworkable alcohol-producing compound. A workable compound 176 includes aform of dextrin combined with an alcohol to form a substantially dry andsolid material.

As with previously-described wipes, the treatment wipe embodiment 100illustrated in FIG. 20 may be used alone, or in combination with a wipeholder of some sort. It is within contemplation that an embodiment suchas illustrated in FIG. 20 may also be used in combination with one ormore other type of disposable (or even non-disposable) wipe structuredas previously described. Nothing in this description is intended to belimiting.

A solid alcohol treatment wipe 100 of the type illustrated in FIG. 20may be manufactured in a variety of ways. One workable way includesincorporating a dextrin compound, such as maltodextrin or cyclodextrin,and an alcohol, such as ethyl alcohol, as a composite in the wipe 100.As illustrated, a wipe 100 can be submerged (as indicated by arrow 184)into a solution of a (modifier)dextrin compound 186 or otherwisesufficiently wetted with the solution, removed and dried (as indicatedby arrow 188), to form a wipe 100′ having (modifier)dextrin (dry)embedded onto the wipe 100′. An alcohol solution is then dispersed (e.g.sprayed) onto the wipe (as indicated by arrow 190) and forms a(modifier)dextrin-Alcohol complex in-situ on the wipe 100″. The wipe100″ is then dried (if needed), and can be stored, packaged, etc., priorto use. In use, a fluid such as water may be sprayed onto the wipe 100″,or the surface to be cleaned, deodorized, sanitized, disinfected, and/orsterilized, and the compound 176 carried on the treatment wipe 100″combines with that fluid to generate alcohol for use as a treatmentagent.

An alternative embodiment may be manufactured by wetting the wipesubstrate (e.g., dipping) in a Sodium Carbonate solution, then dryingthe impregnated wipe. Subsequently, the wipe can be sprayed, or againappropriately wetted, with a solution of stable Hydrogen Peroxidecontaining Silver nitrate or Silver Citrate or Benzyl alcohol, orTriclosan, and then dried. Upon activation by fluid, such as water, theresulting wipe will generate and deliver disinfectants to an object tobe treated and kill microbes on its surface.

Another embodiment within contemplation may be manufactured by wetting awipe substrate with a concentrated solution of Sodium Carbonate andMagnesium Sulfate, then drying the wipe. Subsequently, a highlyconcentrated solution of Hydrogen Peroxide containing Silver nitrate canbe sprayed or otherwise applied to the wipe. Then the wipe is againdried. Upon activation by a fluid, such as water, the wipe delivers adisinfectant to the surface to be treated.

Embodiments have been disclosed above in which one or more area ofelectrical charge is/are established by a wipe holder, or an externalsource of electrical charge. With reference now to FIG. 22, a treatmentwipe 100 may be structured to include a battery to provide on-boardcapability to generate areas of positive and negative electricalcharges. The charge-generating treatment wipe embodiment generallyindicated at 194 includes first electrode 102 and second electrode 104.Desirably, those electrodes are separated by a divider 196. A workabledivider 196 includes a space between compounds that make up theelectrodes, or sometimes, a physical wall or barrier. In this case,electrode 102 may be regarded as the anode, and electrode 104 may beregarded as the cathode.

An exemplary anode 102 may include Zinc, a biocidal agent, and SodiumChloride. An exemplary cooperating cathode 104 may include SilverChloride, a biocidal agent, Sodium Chloride, and Carbon. Upon activationby a fluid, such as water, Zinc becomes the positive electrode whileSilver Chloride becomes the negative electrode. The gram negativemicrobes will be attracted to the Zinc electrode, and the gram positivemicrobes will be attracted to the Silver Chloride electrode. Biocidalmaterial contained in the respective electrodes will kill the attractedmicrobes, as well as be delivered to the surface to be treated. Workableanodes include Zinc, Aluminum, and Magnesium. Workable cathodes includeCarbon and Silver Halides. Workable biocidal agents nonexclusivelyinclude quaternary ammonium compounds, Triclosan, or other organicbiocidal agents.

A treatment wipe 100 may be formed by a combination of a plurality ofprepared-in-advance substrates that may be dispensed, combined, and usedat the location and time of treatment of an object. With reference toFIG. 23, wipe 100 is formed by combining a first substrate 106A with acooperatingly structured second substrate 106B.

A convenient dispenser for cooperating substrates, generally 200,provides a first compartment or chamber 202 and a second compartment orchamber 204. Individual compartments may be separate elements, or,connected together in a unitary structure. The dispenser 200 in FIG. 24is structured in such a way that substrates 106A and 106B aresimultaneously dispensed and combined for use. Compartments desirablyare each structured to contain a plurality of substrates. Sometimessubstrates are stored in a dry, or near-dry condition. Other times,substrates may be moist or wet (damp). Therefore certain compartments202, 204 are structured to confine moisture or even to hold excess orfreestanding liquid.

In accordance with the foregoing disclosure, it should be realized thatfirst compartment 202 may contain substrates 106A that individuallycarry one or more of: Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Chlorite, SodiumChlorate, and/or Quaternary Ammonium salt. In further harmony with theabove disclosure, second chamber 204 may confine substrates 106B thatindividually carry on or more of Silver nitrate, Silver Citrate, Citricacid (e.g. vinegar), glycolic acid, any mild acid, solid acid at roomtemperature or similar ambient conditions, and Iron Sulfate.

In one exemplary embodiment 200, chamber 202 holds a plurality ofsubstrates 106A that carry Hydrogen Peroxide, and chamber 204 holdssubstrates 106B that carry Iron Sulfate solution. When combined, thecompounds carried on the substrates form a wipe 100 that producesHydroxyl radicals as a treatment agent that may be applied to an objectto deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize the object.

In another currently preferred embodiment 200, chamber 202 holds aplurality of substrates 106A that carry Hydrogen Peroxide, and chamber204 holds substrates 106B that carry an acid, such as Citric acid, orvinegar, or glycolic acid. Substrates 106A may include or be embodied ascommercially available damp wipes that include Hydrogen Peroxide.Substrates 106B may be embodied as similar wipes that carry the acidelement in either damp or dry form. It is currently preferred for bothwipe substrates 106A and 106B to be stored in a damp state. Whencombined, the compounds carried on the pair of substrates form a wipe100 that produces peracetic acid as a treatment agent that may beapplied to an object to deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize theobject.

Embodiments according to certain principles of the invention may bestructured to generate one or more treatment agent on demand, and applythe product(s) to a wipe substrate or body 106. Some examples areillustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. Additional such embodiments 134 areillustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26. In FIG. 25, treatment applicator 134includes a first electrode 208 configured as a cathode. A secondelectrode 210 is configured as an anode. Precursor elements 212 and 214(which may be salt and water, respectively), are added to upper chamber216 through a sealable door 218. A control module 148 energizes theelectrodes 208 and 210, to produce one or more treatment agent fromprecursor elements 212, 214. The device 134 may be embodied as acordless, or corded appliance. Typically, the device 134 is sized on thescale of a 2-slice toaster. An advantage of the device 134 in FIG. 25 isthat it may be transported and sold without requiring the additionalweight of water, which is supplied buy a consumer at the location ofwipe creation.

When the precursor elements include salt and water, the device 134produces a treatment solution 220 including Sodium hypochlorite. Thatsolution may be applied through a re-sealable aperture 222 to aplurality of wipe bodies 106 that are stored in lower compartment orchamber 224. A re-sealable aperture 222 may be embodied in many forms,including a guillotine valve, for example. Sometimes a stabilizer 226may be included in the treatment solution. A door or opening 228 permitsadding dry wipe bodies 106 to chamber 224. Desirably, a mechanism isprovided to facilitate removal of a desired number of prepared wipes100. One such device includes wipe dispensing spout or chute 230. It iswithin contemplation that chamber 216 may communicate through a meteringdevice to dispense an appropriate amount of treatment fluid to one ormore wipe 100 at a time.

The treatment agent applicator 134 illustrated in FIG. 26 is similar incertain respects to the embodiment in FIG. 25, and is numberedaccordingly. Applicator 134 in FIG. 26 is particularly structured topermit chemical reaction of a plurality of precursor compounds (e.g.212, 214) to generate Hydroxyl radicals in top chamber 216 upon additionof water to react with compounds 212, 214. Compounds 212, 214 may beselected from couples disclosed above, and include Sodium percarbonateand Silver Nitrate; Magnesium Sulfate and Iron sulfate; Sodiumpercarbonate and ozone generator; Sodium percarbonate and UV light;catalyst and UV light; Hydrogen peroxide and Iron Sulfate or UV light orozone generator.

The embodiment 134 in FIG. 26 may alternatively be operated to generatedisinfecting chemicals or treatment agents. Operable couples in thatcase nonexclusively include: Silver halides and UV light; Silver citrateand citric acid; Sodium chlorate or Sodium chlorite and citric acid orother mild acid; Quaternary Ammonium salt, with or without Silverhalides or citrates or Nitrates; and Ozone generator.

EXEMPLARY TEST DATA

A wipe was made by printing two carbon electrodes onto a substrate,which was then saturated with Sodium Chloride. A prototype wipe holderwith a battery powered the electrodes to form Sodium Hypochlorite as atreatment agent. Test data for treatment of a stainless steel surface ona coupon contaminated with E. coli resulted from following the protocolsset forth below:

-   Application Method 1=2 squirts of tap water on coupon surface, 2    squirts on prototype pad, turn on prototype for 20 sec, wipe surface    3 times, allow sample to sit for 10 min, and analyze sample.-   Application Method 2=2 squirts of tap water on coupon surface, 3    squirts on prototype pad, turn on prototype for 30 sec, wipe surface    4 times, allow sample to sit for 10 min, and analyze sample.

In either case, the percent reduction of E. coli ACC 8739 was >99.981percent.

With reference now to FIGS. 27 and 28, a holder 120 for a wipe may beembodied as a mitt, mitten, or glove 240. Mitt 240 constitutes a housingthat provides conventional enveloping structure into which a user's handmay be inserted to manipulate the mitt during deodorizing, disinfecting,and/or sterilizing a surface. Other workable housings and alternativestructures may be envisioned to provide structure arranged to receive ahuman hand to manipulate a holder 120 during deodorizing, disinfecting,and/or sterilizing a surface.

The housing provided by illustrated mitt 240 carries a plurality ofenergizing transducers, generally 242. Energizing transducers 242associated with a housing or holder may all be the same, or they mayinclude an assortment of different transducers. A workable transducer242 is operable to modify a treatment agent, or to create a treatmentagent, or sometimes, both. Workable energizing transducers 242nonexclusively include: electrical field such as cold plasma generator,UV light, ion generator, and fluid particle size-modifying. A pluralityof cold plasma generating transducers 244 are particularly illustratedin e.g., FIG. 27.

Desirably, a fluid particle size-modifying transducer is operable tocreate micro-, micron-, or nano-sized particles of a treatment agent. Aparticle size-modifying transducer, or nebulizer, may be embodied invarious forms, including ultrasonic, electrical (e.g., piezo),mechanical, such as on a pressurized fluid source (e.g., fluid atomizerwith a large pressure differential across a small aperture and a strongspin being imparted to the exiting fluid), and thermal fogger.

It is typically desirable to provide a portable power source (e.g., abattery pack and control system 246) in operable association with a wipeholder, such as the mitt 240, to facilitate deodorizing, disinfecting,and/or sterilizing a surface with the device. Wires or control leads,generally 248, permit placement of the power/control system 246 at aconvenient location. Exemplary convenient locations include the back ofa mitt 240, or on the belt of an operator. A heavier battery pack may becarried in a backpack worn by an operator, or even placed on the floorin the vicinity of an object to be treated. However, it is withincontemplation that a wipe holder 120 may also be structured for tetheredoperation to a conventional plug-in electrical outlet.

With reference to FIG. 28, mitt 240 constitutes an element of anapplicator of energized treatment agent, generally indicated at 250. By“energized” it is intended to mean that the applicator 250 is structuredto apply a modified and energized form of a treatment agent, or analternative energized treatment agent derived from or made from anoriginal treatment agent, which energized form has an enhanced power tokill microbes, when compared to the original treatment agent.

The applicator 250 illustrated in FIG. 28 includes a holder 120 (themitt 240) and a wipe 100. Illustrated wipe 100 is structured as anover-mitt 252, inside of which mitt 240 can be inserted. Over-mitt 252may be installed in operable position in registration with a holder 240like a sock onto a foot or a mitten onto a hand. A wipe operable with aholder 240 may be embodied in alternative shapes, nonexclusivelyincluding a rectangular bag or open-ended cylinder. Wipe 252 may bestructured as a disposable membrane-like element according to previouslydescribed wipes. However, a preferred wipe 252 carries a fluidizedtreatment agent, such as Hydrogen peroxide in a range of about 2% toabout 30%.

In certain embodiments, such as when over-mitt 252 carries a fluidizedtreatment agent, for example Hydrogen Peroxide, and a transducer 242 isembodied as a nebulizer to convert the Hydrogen Peroxide into micron- ornano-sized particles, the system illustrated in FIG. 28 appliesenergized treatment agent as a fog onto a treatment site or surface, andthe energized treatment agent is wiped by the over-mitt 252. Sometimes,a plain wipe 100 (e.g., a dry paper towel, or cloth) may also be used,in combination with an embodiment such as illustrated in FIG. 28 andparticularly described here, to remove residual treatment agent from thesurface.

A preferred mitt 240 provides a holder 120 for a wipe 100 (see FIGS. 27and 28) that is compliant and permits application to, and contact of awipe 100 with, an irregular, non-flat, or curved surface. A user's handmay deform the wipe 100 to cause a desired conformation of a disposablewipe 100 to the surface to be treated.

A mitt 240 may be structured to be reusable. An exterior surface 254 maybe treated, e.g., rubberized, to permit cleaning the mitt for reuse witha plurality of successive disposable wipes 100.

FIG. 29 illustrates a wipe 100 in combination with a holder 120 that isparticularly structured to impart cold plasma to the wipe. The wipe 100may be associated with the holder 120 by affixing opposite ends of thewipe 100 to clamps 258. Wipe holder 120 in FIG. 29 includes a coldplasma generator/transducer 244, arranged to impart plasma to a wipe 100at a wipe-support surface 262. The embodiment 250 in FIG. 29 may beregarded as a fairly rigid embodiment, although a compliant surface 262is within contemplation in alternative embodiments. The plasma generator244 transforms and “energizes” a portion of a treatment agent, such asHydrogen Peroxide carried on a wipe 100, into Hydroxyl radicals, therebyenergizing the treatment agent.

Various types of cold plasma generators 244 may be employed inembodiments of the invention. Operable cold plasma transducers ofvarious types including Dielectric barrier discharges (DBD), resistivebarrier discharges (RBD), cascaded dielectric barrier discharge (CDBD),corona plasma discharges (CPD), and the Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet(APPJ) or the plasma plume, are disclosed in “Plasma BasedSterilization: Overview and the Stepwise Inactivation Process ofMicrobial by Non-thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet”, by M. R.Pervez, A. Begum, and M Laroussi, in the International Journal ofEngineering & Technology IJET-IJENS Vol: 14 No: 05. The disclosure setforth in this paper is incorporated by this reference, as though setforth herein in its entirety.

An analysis of Surface Micro-Discharge plasma effect on microorganismsis presented in the Dissertation titled SURFACE MICRO-DISCHARGE(SMD)—ANALYSIS OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT AND THE PLASMA CHEMISTRY, byJin Jeon, geboren am 27 Sep. 1984 in Seoul/Südkorea. A similar analysisis set forth in “Cold Atmospheric Air Plasma Sterilization againstSpores and Other Microorganisms of Clinical Interest”, by Tobias G.Klämpfl, Georg Isbary, Tetsuji Shimizu, Yang-Fang Li, Julia L.Zimmermann, Wilhelm Stolz, Jürgen Schlegel, Gregor E. Morfill, andHans-Ulrich Schmidt, in Appl Environ Microbiol., 2012 August; 78(15):5077-5082. The disclosures set forth in these papers are alsoincorporated by this reference, as though set forth herein in theirentirety.

Disinfection Testing of Commercially Available H₂O₂ Wipes

Procedure: Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores were procured fromCroostex®. Tryptic Soy Broth was prepared in the lab as the growthmedia. The Geobacillus spores had a population of 1.5×10⁶. Positive andnegative controls were prepared to observe the growth and forcomparison. The test procedure was as follows:

1. Place the spore plate on a clean and sterile surface facing upwards

2. Place the disinfecting wipe on top such that it contacts the spores

3. Wait for a specific time limit and then remove the wipe

4. Pick the spore plate and drop it into the media tube and place in theincubator

The positive control was not treated with any disinfecting medium. Twopositive controls were prepared, one with no treatment at all and onewhich was kept in contact with a wet wipe containing only water. Inaddition to the hydrogen peroxide wipe the spores were treated with acombination of the wipe and Cold Corona Plasma for 1 min, 30 sec and 15sec. The negative control was prepared by treating the spore plate with10% bleach for the same time as the wipe.

The treated spore plates were submerged into the media in test tubeswhich were then placed in an incubator shaker at 55° C. and 250 rpm.Test results are presented in Table 1. H₂O₂

TABLE 1 Description Time % kill Time % kill Time % kill 3% H₂O₂ Wipe 15sec  2% 30 sec  7% 1 min  24% 3% H₂O₂ Wipe with 15 sec 27% 30 sec 56% 1min 100% Cold Corona Plasma

It can be observed that the exposure time increased the % kill for thehydrogen peroxide wipe. However, at 15 sec the % kill was quite low forthe wipe. On combining the wipe with plasma, the potency of the wipe wasincreased as observed by the increase in the % kill. These experimentswere conducted as a proof of concept to show that cold corona plasma canincrease the potency of hydrogen peroxide.

FIG. 30 illustrates an embodiment having a nebulizer transducer,generally 268, such as an ultrasonic transducer 269, arranged tointeract with an installed wipe 100. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 30, a plurality of optional brush elements 270 constitutescompliant ultrasonic extension elements that provide a degree ofconformation of an installed wipe 100 to an irregular surface. A varietyof nebulizing transducers are workable, including piezo, mechanical, andatomizing. A less preferred nebulizer includes a heat-activatednebulizer.

In certain embodiments, such as when a wipe 100 carries a fluidizedchemical treatment agent, for examples Hydrogen Peroxide or peraceticacid, and a transducer 268 is embodied as a nebulizer to convert theHydrogen Peroxide or peracetic acid into micron- or nano-sizedparticles, the system 250 illustrated in FIG. 30 acts as an applicatorof energized treatment agent to apply energized treatment agent as alocalized fog onto a treatment site or surface, and the energizedtreatment agent is wiped by an installed disposable wipe 100. Sometimes,an independently operated plain wipe 100 (i.e., dry) may also be used,in combination with an embodiment such as illustrated in FIG. 30 andparticularly described here, to remove residual treatment agent from thesurface.

FIG. 31 illustrates another embodiment 250 of an applicator of energizedtreatment agent, generally 276. The embodiment 250 in FIG. 31 includes ahousing 278 that may be associated with any of a plurality of energizingelements. As illustrated, housing 278 has a handle 122, which isstructured to receive a human hand for manipulation of the housing 278to deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize a treatment site. A preferredhousing 278 is adapted for portable use as a stand-alone applicator,generally 280, and includes a portable power/control system 246.

A stand-alone applicator, such as applicator 280, may be used to applyenergized treatment agent 276 to a surface independent of a wipe 100. Inthat case, a wipe 100 may be used to spread the treatment agent, apply ascrubbing action, and/or to remove the treatment agent from the treatedsurface. Further, the wipe 100 may even be a plain wipe, lacking intreatment agent. An exemplary operable wipe 100 for use with astand-alone applicator 280 includes a paper towel, cotton cloth, and thelike.

Typically, a housing 278 of a stand-alone applicator 280 holds at leastone transducer, generally 268, effective to modify the size of treatmentagent particles to create a discharge of fog particles having micro- ornano-sizes. An exemplary energizing transducer 268 is a nebulizer 282.Operable particle size-modifying transducers 268 have been describedabove, in connection with other embodiments, and non-exclusively includeultrasonic and piezo-activated transducers. Thermally actuatednebulizers are less preferred.

In FIG. 31, a fan 284 is provided to urge movement of energizedtreatment agent 276 along a guide 286 for discharge through an exhaustport, generally 288. Typically, the discharged treatment agent 276 canbe characterized as being in a fog-state.

As illustrated in FIG. 31, a housing 278 may hold a plurality oftransducers 268, which can include a plurality of nebulizers 282, amongother different or similar transducers and treatment-modifying elements.As illustrated, an ion generator 290 may be placed in operableassociation for inclusion of ions in the discharged fog. Sometimes, agermicidal lamp 292 may be disposed to act on treatment agent. Anexemplary germicidal lamp may be a UV lamp, and is typically selected tohave an output wavelength in the range between about 250 to about 350nm. It is also within contemplation that a cold plasma generator 294 maybe included in certain embodiments 280. Other transducers withincontemplation include a fluid atomizer, and an Ozone generator.

Applicators of energized treatment agent 250 may be embodied to includemore than one treatment agent for application of a compound mixture oftreatment agents to a treatment site. For example, the stand-aloneapplicator 280 in FIG. 31 includes a first container 296 in which tohold a quantity of a first fluidized treatment agent, and a secondcontainer 298 in which to hold a quantity of a second fluidizedtreatment agent. A preferred first treatment agent is Hydrogen Peroxide.However, an operable first treatment agent may be selected from thegroup including (Hydrogen peroxide, Sodium Peroxide, Peracetic acid,Ammonium quaternary compounds, Alcohol in general, Benzyl alcohol,Sodium Hypochlorite, Acetic acid, glycolic acid, Silver Nitrate, andSilver citrate). An operable second treatment agent may be selected fromthat same group.

The embodiment indicated generally at 300 in FIG. 32 includes analternatively structured wipe-holder 120 configured to receive one of aplurality of disposable, single-use wipes 100. As with certainpreviously-described embodiments, a wipe 100 may be installed inregistration on body 304 by affixing opposite ends of the wipe torespective clamp mechanisms 258, like installing a sheet of sandpaper ona powered sander. Alternative wipe-affixing mechanisms will be readilyapprehended by one of ordinary skill. The handle 122 may be rigidlyaffixed to the body 304 (as illustrated) or may be pivotally or evenremovably affixed, e.g., to reduce volume during shipping. In any case,it is desirable for handle 122 to provide a user hand-gripping portiondisposed substantially in parallel to a wipe-support surface 262.

A difference between illustrated embodiment 300 and previously describedembodiments is the arrangement of the applicator of energized treatmentagent, generally 250. Embodiment 300 includes a reservoir 306 of a firsttreatment agent structured to dispense the first treatment agent in avapor phase. The first treatment agent combines with a second treatmentagent carried by a wipe 100 to synergistically create an energizedtreatment agent in-situ, or at the time and place of use of the wipe 100to clean or disinfect a surface. By synergistically, it is meant that afirst treatment agent is selected to combine with a second treatmentagent to form a third treatment agent having enhanced biocidal efficacycompared to either the first or second treatment agent, alone. In theillustrated embodiment 300, transfer of the first agent to a wipe 100occurs by direct contact between the support surface 262 of reservoir306 and an installed wipe 100. The first treatment agent may beessentially off-gassed from reservoir 306 and into the installed wipe100 at the support surface 262.

In an alternative arrangement within contemplation, reservoir 306 mayinclude an absorbent element that up-takes treatment agent in a fluidphase, and also dispenses that treatment fluid in a fluid phaseon-demand, e.g., under physical pressure on a sponge. In that case,reservoir 306 may include a sponge element, such as a cellulose orpolymer sponge, and the first treatment agent is applied in liquid formto the wipe.

Many ways to hold a reservoir 306 in registration with a body 304 arewithin contemplation, and will occur to one of ordinary skill. Apreferred arrangement provides a structural interference betweenstructure associated with body 304 and structure associated withreservoir 306, and a retaining mechanism to resist decoupling of thoseelements. Desirably, the installed reservoir 306 disposes a wipe supportsurface 262 proud of the body 304 to ensure that a wipe 100 carriedthere-on will contact a surface to be cleaned or disinfected.

The illustrated embodiment 300 includes a plurality of T-slots 308 inreservoir 306 that install in registration on cooperating T-elements 310carried by body 304. The T-elements 310 form a structural interferencewith T-slots 308 when the reservoir 306 is installed in registration ona body 304. The retaining mechanism includes skirt 312, which may bevertically or rotationally displaced by a user to permit transversemotion of the reservoir 306 with respect to body 304. With the skirt 312out of the way, the reservoir 306 may be installed or removed from thebody 304, e.g., for replacement or recharging of the reservoir 306.After a reservoir 306 is installed, skirt 312 may be repositioned andaffixed to prevent decoupling reservoir 306 from body 304.

A reservoir 306 may be structured to imbibe or uptake one or more liquidtreatment agent, and subsequently dispense that treatment agent inliquid or vapor phase. A workable reservoir 306 may include an adsorbentmaterial, and/or a material that up-takes a liquid treatment agentthrough a diffusion, or other essentially atomic, or molecular-scaleprocess. Sometimes, a reservoir may include an absorbent element, suchas a cellulose or polymer sponge, that can absorb liquid treatment agentand subsequently dispense that treatment agent on demand in a liquidphase.

Materials that may be included in a reservoir 306 encompass polymers,rubber, or rubber-like material (particularly styrene-based polymer orrubber, butadiene-based polymer or rubber, gum rubber, and thermoplasticpolyurethane (TPU)), and high surface area (HSA) materials such asactivated carbon, activated Alumina, activated Titanium oxide, (e.g.,activated ceramics), metal/organic high surface area compounds, highsurface area Silica, zeolites, molecular sieves, and the like. It iswithin contemplation that a reservoir may encompass a mix of differentmaterials, such as a mix of absorbent and adsorbent materials. A mix ofcarrier materials for a reservoir 306 may be configured to provide adesired storage capacity and release rate capability for one or moreagent.

High surface area materials may be fabricated and used as powders,granules, beads, chunks, sheets, and/or formed into particularfunctional structures, and the like. By high surface area, it isintended to mean a material having surface area greater than 10 m²/g. Itis generally preferred for HSA materials to be greater than 100, 200,300, 400, 500, and/or 600 m²/g. HSA materials having surface area of2,000 or even 10,000 m²/g, or even more, are within contemplation.Portion(s) or the entirety of an exemplary reservoir may be manufacturedby way of injection molding. A currently preferred reservoir 306 is madeas a substantially unitary element from SBR rubber.

As illustrated in FIG. 33, a reservoir 306 may be charged (or recharged)by placing the reservoir 306 into a container 316 holding a quantity oftreatment agent 318. Certain embodiments may be sufficiently charged ina few hours at room temperature. Typically, no elevated temperature isrequired, although an elevated temperature may reduce charging time. Areservoir 306 made entirely from SBR can be charged sufficientlyovernight in a container of acetic acid (e.g., household vinegar) atroom temperature to operate synergistically with about 3 to perhaps 50(or more) wipes that individually carry a hydrogen peroxide treatmentagent. By room temperature, it is intended to encompass room airtemperature of between about 20° C. and about 50° C. (e.g., about 65° F.to about 125° F.), and the fluid is disposed in the room and typicallyallowed to come to approximate thermal equilibrium.

FIG. 34 illustrates a plan view of an alternative wipe generallyindicated at 320. Wipe 320 includes a flexible substrate 322 carryingfirst compartment 324 and second compartment 326. Other embodimentswithin contemplation may include one or more additional compartment.Workable substrates may be embodied as woven or nonwoven cloth, fiber orpolymer, and the like. Exemplary substrates include cloth, rags, orcommercially available paper towels and similar structures. Desirably,the substrate and compartments are structured in harmony to permitoperably folding or arranging the wipe to place the compartments infunctional position to activate the first and second agents. Onefunctional juxtaposed arrangement is nonexclusively illustrated in FIG.35.

A workable compartment 324, 326 generally confines a first agent toresist undesired or premature combination of the first agent with asecond agent carried in an adjacent compartment. A workable compartmentalso permits such combination at a time and place of desired use of thewipe 320 to clean, disinfect, sterilize, or deodorize an object. It ispreferred for compartments and substrates to be porous to permit fluidflow.

As illustrated in FIG. 34, compartment 324 includes a boundary 328inside of which the first agent is generally confined. A similarboundary 330 generally confines a second agent in association withcompartment 326. A workable boundary may be provided, in-part, by apocket-forming layer, or may be defined by a simple spacing on thesubstrate 322 between the agents, or be structured like a dam to resistin-plane flow or travel of an agent. It is within contemplation thatcertain embodiments may include first and/or second agents that aresimply impregnated into, or otherwise carried by, just the substrate.

With reference to FIG. 35, first compartment 324 may be embodied as afluid-porous bag in which is generally confined a first treatmentcompound or agent 332, such as Sodium Percarbonate (Na₂CO₃). In anexemplary embodiment, the agent 332 may be provided in suitable dryform, such as powdered. Second compartment 326 may similarly be embodiedas a fluid-porous bag to generally confine high surface area (HSA)material. A HSA material is defined as having a surface area greaterthan 10 m²/g. Exemplary HSA material includes activated Alumina orcarbon, molecular sieves, zeolites, certain ceramics, nano-sizedparticulate material, and the like. The HSA material may be provided insubstantially solid, powder, bead, or particulate form, and can operateas a carrier of a second treatment agent 334, such as acetic acid (e.g.,vinegar), or glycolic acid. In certain alternative embodiments, a secondtreatment agent 334 may simply be provided by a damp compartment 326, ordamp portion of a substrate 322.

When combined with a fluid like water, the first and second treatmentagents of a wipe 320 may combine to form peracetic acid. In the casewhere the second treatment agent 334 is acetic or glycolic acid carriedin HSA material, the HSA material preferentially displaces the acid toadsorb water, there-by discharging the acid for use as an active agent.Therefore, wipe 320 may be dipped in water, folded, and used to clean,deodorize, disinfect, or sterilize a surface of an object with a firsttreatment agent including peracetic acid that is formed at the time andplace of use of the wipe 320. A second treatment agent in the presentexample is excess Hydrogen peroxide.

It is within contemplation that Hydrogen peroxide may be adsorbed intoHSA material that is carried by a wipe 100, and an active agent such asacetic acid or glycolic acid may be applied (e.g., sprayed) onto thewipe 100. The HSA material preferentially displaces the Hydrogenperoxide to adsorb water or moisture from the spray, there-bydischarging the Hydrogen peroxide for use as another active agent. Theacetic or glycolic acid carried in the spray may react with a portion ofthe displaced Hydrogen peroxide to form peracetic acid as a third activeagent.

A similar peracetic acid-forming embodiment may be created using thestructure illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. In such an alternativeembodiment, a wipe 106A may be embodied as a commercially available dampHydrogen peroxide wipe. Hydrogen peroxide may be regarded as a firstagent. Wipe 106B may be a similarly structured damp wipe substrate thatcarries an acid, such as acetic acid, vinegar, or glycolic acid. Theacid, e.g., acetic acid, may be regarded as a second agent. Acetic orglycolic acid combines with a portion of Hydrogen peroxide at the timeand place of use of the combined wipes 106A and 106B to form peraceticacid as a third agent. The combined damp wipes 106A and 106B maytherefore be used to clean, disinfect, deodorize, or sterilize a surfacewith a combination of agents including Hydrogen peroxide and peraceticacid.

It is within contemplation that one or more wipe, or one or more agentused in a combination embodiment such as embodiment 200, may be storedin dry form. As used herein, “dry form” means that an agent feels dry tohuman touch. An exemplary dry agent encompasses liquid acetic orglycolic acid adsorbed into HSA material, which has a resulting surfacethat feels dry to the touch. Sometimes, acetic or glycolic acid may bedirectly provided on a wipe in dry compound form. In use, a fluid suchas water may be applied to the dry wipe or portion thereof (or to two ormore combined wipe substrates) at the time and place of use to create adesired chemical reaction, e.g., form or yield peracetic acid and/orHydrogen peroxide.

Glycolic acid (sometimes known as hydroacetic acid or hydroxyaceticacid) has a chemical formula C₂H₄O₃ (also written as HOCH₂CO₂H). Thiscompound is colorless, odorless, and naturally hygroscopic. Thecrystalline solid form at room temperature is highly soluble in water.For purpose of this disclosure, it is believed that the physical stateof a particular material (e.g., solid or liquid) will be logicallyapparent. Without more, use of the material name alone is typicallyintended to encompass both solid and liquid phase states.

A method to manufacture a wipe, such as wipe 320, is illustratedgenerally at 340 in FIG. 36. A feed roll 342 provides a ribbon ofsubstrate material 320. The ribbon may be spooled onto an intermediatetake-up roll 346, or individual wipes 320 may be directly processed forpackaging, as illustrated generally at 348. In any case, the ribbon maybe arranged for indexed travel past a first applicator 350 of a firstagent and a second applicator 352 of a second agent, which applicatorsapply respective agents into respective compartments 324, 326 (see FIG.34). Alternatively, one or more of applicators 350, 352 may bestructured to coat, imprint, emboss, embed, impregnate, or otherwiseinstall an agent in registration on the substrate film ribbon in adesired configuration. Further processing of the ribbon, such as withapplication of heat by a heater 354, may be included in themanufacturing process.

FIG. 37 illustrates another embodiment structured according to certainprinciples of the invention and indicated generally at 360. Embodiment360 includes a handle assembly, generally 362 and a wipe 364. The handleassembly 362 may simply be placed onto a wipe 364 and employ frictionthere-between to allow using the handle 362 (and wipe 364) to scrub asurface, or the wipe 364 may be affixed in some way to the handleassembly. Desirably, a handle portion 368 of the assembly 362 isdisposed substantially in parallel to a wipe support surface. Anexemplary wipe 364 includes a commercially available disposable dampwipe that carries Hydrogen peroxide. A preferred embodiment 360 isstructured to generate peracetic acid at the time of use of the wipe364.

The handle assembly 364 illustrated in FIG. 37 includes a handle 368,and a reservoir, generally 370. A workable reservoir 370 provides astorage space from which an active first agent may be applied to anassociated wipe 364 (and may sometimes form a third agent, e.g.,peracetic acid, in combination with a second agent carried by wipe 364)for use in cleaning, deodorizing, disinfecting, or sterilizing anobject.

A reservoir 370 may be removably affixed to a handle 368, or may haveintervening structure to make a robust structural connection, such as atop plate 372. In the illustrated embodiment, handle 368 is flexible,and handle ends, generally 374, may be received in respective socketstructures 376 that are affixed to a relatively stiff top plate 372. Aworkable stiff top plate 372 may be made from a sheet of about 1/16 or ⅛inch thick plastic, such as PVC, or the like. Alternative attachment ofa handle to a reservoir is within the capability of one of ordinaryskill. A permanently affixed handle is also within contemplation.

A workable reservoir 370 includes a carrier element 378 in which to holda quantity of a treatment agent, and permits dispensing that agenton-demand to a wipe. Top plate 372 may be characterized as a body, andcarrier element 378 may be considered as being carried by the body witha wipe-support surface portion being disposed proud of the body tocontact a wipe. In that configuration, a disposable wipe carriedthere-on or in contact there-with will contact a surface to be cleanedor disinfected, and the wipe will be compressed into contact with thesupport surface.

One workable carrier element 378 is an absorbent sponge, such as acommercially available cellulose sponge, to absorb and subsequently emitfluid agent on demand (e.g., to emit fluid agent onto a surface to betreated upon compression of the sponge to pass fluid through the wipeand onto the surface).

Another workable carrier element 378 includes HSA material, or rubberand rubber-like materials such as thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU),styrene-based and/or butadiene-based rubbers, and the like. Certaincarrier material elements 378 adsorb, imbibe, or otherwise uptake fluidwith a molecular diffusion or other small-scale process. Sometimes,fluid carried by the wipe (and enhanced by action of an agent carried inthe reservoir) may be emitted onto the surface to be treated by way ofcompression of the wipe between the reservoir and the surface. Fluidcarried by the wipe may enhance extraction of an agent from thereservoir or carrier element 378 by preferential exchange of a portionof the wipe's fluid into the carrier material to release one or moreagent from the carrier. A carrier element 378 may be loaded with anagent by way of absorption, adsorption, molecular diffusion, and anyother mechanism operable to place an agent in association with thecarrier for removal on-demand to form an activated wipe.

FIG. 38 illustrates another embodiment, generally indicated at 390,structured according to certain principles of the invention. Embodiment390 includes a handle assembly, generally 392, that interfaces with oris associated with (as indicated by dashed line 391) a wipe 364 topermit use of the handle 394 to move the wipe 364 to scrub a surface ofan object. Sometimes, the handle assembly 392 may simply be placed ontop of a loose wipe 364 to enable scrubbing. Other times, the handleassembly 392 may be affixed to a wipe 364 to enable scrubbing. Apreferred wipe 364 is a commercially available pre-moistened (or damp)cleaning wipe that carries Hydrogen peroxide as a firstsurface-treatment agent. A similar wipe structured as described above isalso workable. The illustrated handle assembly 392 provides a secondtreatment agent to combine with a portion of the first treatment agentand form a third treatment agent (preferably, the third treatment agentis peracetic acid).

Handle assembly 392 includes an access opening, generally 396, to permitinstallation and removal of a cassette 398. Cassette 398 is structuredto hold a quantity of a liquid treatment agent, such as a mild acid orother effective agent, for application of the treatment agent to a wipe364. A preferred cassette 398 is refillable. A preferred mild acidincludes acetic acid, vinegar, and/or glycolic acid.

In the illustrated embodiment 390, an installed cassette 398 is placedinto operable association with an actuator, such as illustrated thumbbutton 400, to permit application of a dose of agent onto a wipe (asgenerally indicated by cloud 402). A dose may be applied as a mist,stream, or any other workable arrangement to distribute an agent carriedin the dose in operable harmony with the wipe. The actuator 400 may beembodied in a plurality of alternative forms, including as a triggerdisposed for finger-actuation, and the like, as will be well known byone in the art.

Sometimes, the handle assembly 392 may be used to spray a dose 402 ofagent (e.g., liquid acetic acid or glycolic acid) onto a wipe 364 priorto associating the wipe 364 with the handle 394 for scrubbing. Othertimes, one or more dose-discharging nozzle may be configured to apply adose 402 to a wipe 364 that is already associated with the handleassembly 392 to permit scrubbing. In certain cases, the handle assembly392 may be used to apply a dose 402 to a wipe, and the wipe may be usedfor cleaning separately from the handle assembly 392.

The embodiment in FIG. 39 illustrates a wipe, generally indicated at410, including another membrane-like substrate 322 and a fluid-permeablepocket 412. Pocket 412 is structured to confine one or more chemicalcompound. Typically, pocket 412 carries at least a pair of chemicalcompounds in dry form that may be either mixed together or segregated insome way that permits combination of their liquidized forms. Asillustrated, a first chemical compound is generally indicated at 414,and a second chemical compound is generally indicated at 416. Drychemical compounds may be provided in chunks, granules, powders, and thelike.

One operable set of dry chemical compounds includes Sodium percarbonateand glycolic acid. In use of such a wipe 410, a user simply applieswater, and uses the wipe 410 to scrub or wash a surface. Fornon-limiting examples, the wipe 410 may be dipped in, or sprayed by,water. The wetted wipe 410 can inherently make Hydrogen peroxide andperacetic acid due to wetting the one or more compounds carried in thepocket 412. For one example, water and Sodium percarbonate may combineto form excess Hydrogen peroxide, and further addition of liquidglycolic acid combined with (typically a portion of) the Hydrogenperoxide produces peracetic acid as well.

The embodiment indicated generally at 420 in FIGS. 40 and 41 includes awipe, generally 100, and a wipe holder or wipe manipulator, generally422. A preferred wipe 100 includes a commercially available dampmembrane-like sheet 424 that carries Hydrogen Peroxide. A workable wipemanipulator 422 may be embodied as a glove 426 (as illustrated) or as amitten, among other configurations. Glove 426 includes thumb 428 andindex finger 430 that are identified here to assist in orientingstructure in different views.

The wipe manipulator 422 includes at least one reservoir 432, in which abulk portion of treatment agent may be held. With reference to FIG. 41,reservoir 432 is arranged to deliver treatment agent through conduit 434to a dispersion element 436. The dispersion element 436 serves todistribute treatment agent from conduit 434 for application to a surfaceof a wipe 424. An exemplary dispersion element 436 may be formed by anabsorbent device such as a cellulose sponge, or a wicking or capillarydevice such as a fiber mat, and the like. A discharge mechanism,generally indicated at 438, is provided to urge travel of treatmentagent toward the dispersion element 436. An exemplary dischargemechanism 438 includes a plunger or pump 440 that may be mechanicallyactivated, such as by slide lever 442. Treatment agent may bedistributed by one or more conduit 434 to a plurality of positionsscattered over the area of a dispersion element 436, to facilitateformation of treatment agent across a significant area of a wipe 424.

With reference now to FIG. 42, the wipe manipulator generally indicatedat 422′ includes a glove 426, similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 40and 41. A reservoir 432 carried by glove 426 defines a volume 444, inwhich to hold a treatment agent. A pump 446 is arranged in fluidcommunication with the treatment agent to urge travel of treatment agenttoward dispersion element 436. Pump 446 may be actuated on user-demandby actuation of normally-open switch 448. A user may close switch 448 bypressing it between a fingertip and the surface to be treated, andthereby cause actuation of the pump 446. Switch 448 is operablyconnected to pump 446 by way of wires 450. Electronics and otheroperational controls, generally 452, may be carried in association withreservoir 432 to alternatively or additionally control automatedoperation of pump 446 according to e.g., a desired discharge rate, orunder certain user-controlled or predefined parameters or input(s).

A first treatment agent may be formed in a wipe responsive tocombination of a second treatment agent delivered by a dispersionelement 436 and third treatment agent that may be carried in the wipe,or may also be supplied by a wipe manipulator. Of note in thecross-section in FIG. 42, a wipe manipulator such as 422′ includes asafety mechanism including a structural barrier normally disposedbetween a user's hand and a location of formation of the first treatmentagent. That structural barrier includes the palm portion of the glove426. FIG. 42 also illustrates a volume 454 defined by the wipemanipulator 422′. Volume 454 is defined as a substantially enclosedvolume inside of glove portion 426 and is configured to receive a user'shand prior to allowing formation of a first treatment agent in a wipe.

With reference now to FIG. 43, a wipe manipulator 422 may be structuredto carry and apply a second treatment agent for combination with a thirdtreatment agent, the second treatment agent and third treatment agentcombining to form a first treatment agent in wipe 424. Preferably, thewipe manipulator includes some sort of safety mechanism to resistformation of the first treatment agent until a user's hand is protectedfrom contact with the first treatment agent. In FIG. 42, the safetymechanism includes an effective physical barrier provided by the palmportion of glove 426. A workable glove 426 may be waterproof and isdesirably resistant to attack or damage caused by treatment agents.

Additionally, it is desirable that a wipe manipulator further includes awipe support surface, generally 456, that is sufficiently transverselyflexible as to enable using the wipe support surface 456 to engage awipe 424 with curved structures such as cylindrical objects forming bedrails, and stands to hold medical devices. For example, a wipemanipulator 422 may enable wrapping a wipe 424 to engage wipe 424 withabout 90, 180, 270, or more degrees around the circumference of a curvedsurface of a rod 458. An exemplary such rod 458 may have a radius R ofabout ⅛ inch, ¼ inch, ⅜ inch, ½ inch, 2 inches, or even more.Preferably, substantially that amount of transverse flexibility isprovided by a wipe support surface 456 in two orthogonal directions.Desirably, the transverse flexibility of the wipe support surface 456approximates a degree of conformity provided by a human hand covered bya surgical glove. It is further desirable for the wipe support surfaceand any other intervening protective structure(s) to transmit tactilefeedback to a user to verify contact with the treated surface by a wipe.

With reference now to FIGS. 44 and 45, a wipe manipulator 422″ comprisesan exposed wipe support surface 464 of a first reservoir 432 to supporta wipe 424. The illustrated reservoir 432 is formed from a materialcapable of temporarily and internally holding a second treatment agentto permit release of the second treatment agent for combination in thewipe with a third treatment agent, the second treatment agent and thirdtreatment agent combining to form a first treatment agent. Release ofthe second agent may variously be effected by off-gassing a treatmentagent in vapor form, or by direct fluid flow of a solution including thesecond treatment agent. The first treatment agent may be unsafe fordirect contact with human skin, but is desirably toxic to bacteria andmicrobes.

FIG. 45 also illustrates a volume 454 defined by the wipe manipulator422″. Volume 454 is defined as a substantially enclosed volume inside ofglove portion 426 and is configured to receive a user's hand, and toresist contact between the hand and a first treatment agent that isformed, or is being formed, in a wipe. Desirably, glove portion is madefrom a material that may be waterproof or water resistant, and isresistant to damage from contact with any treatment agents.

It is further desirable that reservoir 432 and glove 426 cooperate toform a wipe support surface 464 that is transversely flexible to enabletreating curved surfaces. A workable reservoir may include material thatcan imbibe a treatment agent (or a fluid including the treatment agent),and subsequently release the treatment agent for combination withelement(s) or compound(s) in a wipe. Materials of composition for aworkable reservoir 432 include absorbent materials, such as a spongeincluding a cellulose sponge, woven and nonwoven fibrous elements suchas cloth or felt, and certain polymer or rubber materials. Otherworkable materials are described above with reference to alternativeembodiments.

With reference again to FIG. 41, a wipe manipulator may simply be placedon top of a wipe 424, trapping the wipe 424 between a distributionelement 436 and the surface to be treated. Friction between the wipe andmanipulator 422 is typically sufficient to enable manipulation of thewipe to treat the surface.

It is within contemplation to alternatively provide a wipe and wipemanipulator with cooperating structures to ensure workable associationwith, operation of the wipe by, the manipulator. One such cooperatingarrangement includes forming a wipe as a pocket or mitten 252 (e.g., seeFIG. 28). For another example, FIG. 46 illustrates a space 468 that maybe formed in a wipe formed by fastening a pair of wipes 424 along threeedges. Resulting space 468 may then receive a wipe manipulator. It isfurther within contemplation to provide cooperating structures to securea wipe to a wipe manipulator. Certain such structures nonexclusivelyinclude hook-and-loop fasteners, clamping mechanisms, fastening straps,interference-creating structures, and the like.

One method for cleaning/treating (e.g., deodorizing, disinfecting, orsterilizing) a surface includes the steps of: providing a holderstructured in harmony with a disposable wipe to create micron- ornano-sized particles of a first treatment agent carried by the wipe andselected from the group consisting of (Hydrogen peroxide, SodiumPeroxide, Peracetic acid, Ammonium quaternary compounds, Alcohol (e.g.,Benzyl or other effective alcohol), Sodium Hypochlorite, Acetic acid,glycolic acid, Silver Nitrate, and Silver citrate), and/or to createhydroxyl or other chemical radicals from a portion of the first chemicaltreatment agent; placing a disposable wipe in operable registration withthe holder; and treating a surface of an object by activating the holderto energize a portion of the first treatment agent and wiping the objectwith the disposable wipe.

Another operable treatment method may include providing an applicatorstructured to create a fog of micron- or nano-sized particles of a firstchemical treatment agent selected from the group (Hydrogen peroxide,Sodium Peroxide, Peracetic acid, Ammonium quaternary compounds, Alcohol,Sodium Hypochlorite, Acetic acid, glycolic acid, Silver Nitrate, andSilver citrate), and/or to create hydroxyl or other chemical radicalsfrom a portion of the first chemical treatment agent; treating a surfaceof an object by applying the fog and/or chemical radicals onto theobject with the applicator; and wiping the surface with a disposablewipe.

Another operable treatment method may include providing a wipe that maybe activated at the time and place of use to create peracetic acid. Thismethod may include the step of wetting the wipe to activate the wipe. Inan alternative method, the activation step may be effected by combiningtwo or more substrates to form an activated wipe. In an alternativemethod, the activation step may be effected by combining two or moresubstrates, then applying a fluid such as water, to form an activatedwipe. In an alternative method, the activation step may be effected byfolding the wipe to place two reactive elements into operablejuxtaposition to cause a chemical reaction, and then using the wipe toscrub the surface with a treatment agent including a product resultingfrom that chemical reaction.

The invention may be practiced in a method that may further include apre-treatment step including application of a surface treatment to thesurface to be treated. One surface treatment within contemplationenhances the hydrophilic status of the surface. An exemplary surfacetreatment may be selected from chemical surfactant, and plasma. Anothersurface treatment within contemplation includes a fog of micron- ornano-sized particles of a first chemical treatment agent selected fromthe group (Hydrogen peroxide, Sodium Peroxide, Peracetic acid, Ammoniumquaternary compounds, Alcohol, Sodium Hypochlorite, Acetic acid,glycolic acid, Silver Nitrate, and Silver citrate; treating a surface ofan object by applying the fog onto the object; and wiping the surfacewith a disposable wipe. In some cases, the applicator used in a methodaccording to certain principles of the invention may be, or include, thedisposable wipe.

While the invention has been described in particular with reference tocertain illustrated embodiments, such is not intended to limit the scopeof the invention. The present invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from its spirit or essentialcharacteristics. For example, one or more element may be extracted fromany described embodiment for use on its own, and/or combined with one ormore element from any other embodiment to form an alternative embodimentaccording to certain principles of the invention. One or more element(s)may sometimes be redacted from certain embodiments to form alternativeworkable embodiments. The described embodiments are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for cleaning, deodorizing,disinfecting, or sterilizing a surface of an object, comprising: adisposable wipe to apply a first treatment agent to treat the object,the disposable wipe to form the first treatment agent in or on thedisposable wipe at the time and place of use of the disposable wipe, incombination with: a reusable wipe manipulator structured to temporarilycouple with the disposable wipe sufficiently to move the wipe over thesurface in a cleaning motion with the disposable wipe being in physicalcontact with the surface, the reusable wipe manipulator comprising asafety mechanism to resist formation of the first treatment agent untila user's hand is protected by a structural barrier from contact with thefirst treatment agent, wherein: the reusable wipe manipulator isstructured to apply a second treatment agent for combination with athird treatment agent, the second treatment agent and third treatmentagent combining to form the first treatment agent in or on eachdisposable wipe of a plurality of successive disposable wipes, and: thereusable wipe manipulator comprises a wipe support surface that istransversely flexible to accommodate wiping curved surfaces.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the reusable wipe manipulatorcomprises a first reservoir; and the first reservoir holds a quantity ofa second treatment agent for combination with a third treatment agentcarried by the disposable wipe, the second treatment agent and the thirdtreatment agent combining to form the first treatment agent.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the first treatment agent isselected from the group consisting of Hydrogen Peroxide, peracetic acid,Chlorine Dioxide, Sodium Hypochlorite, Hydroxyl radicals,Glutaraldehyde, Phenol, and a mixture of two or more elements from thisgroup.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the secondtreatment agent consists of an element selected from the groupconsisting of Acetic acid, vinegar, tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED),and a mixture of two or more elements from this group; the thirdtreatment agent is Hydrogen peroxide; and the first treatment agent isPeracetic acid.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: thesecond treatment agent comprises solid mixtures of Sodium acetate andBenzoic acid, or Sodium acetate and Citric acid; the third treatmentagent comprises Hydrogen Peroxide; and the first treatment agent isPeracetic acid.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: thesecond treatment agent is Sodium Chlorite or Sodium Chlorate in liquidsolution; the third treatment agent is Citric acid or Hydrochloric acid;and the first treatment agent is Chlorine Dioxide.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein: the second treatment agent is an elementselected from the group comprising UV light, Ferrous Sulfate, and Ozone;the third treatment agent is Hydrogen Peroxide; and the first treatmentagent is Hydroxyl radicals.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 2,wherein: the first reservoir holds a bulk quantity of a second treatmentagent in liquid solution, and further comprising: a discharge mechanismoperable on demand by a user to dispense the second treatment agent at adesired rate and/or quantity in the form of a plurality of successivedoses to permit application of one or more dose to each individualdisposable wipe of the plurality of successive disposable wipes.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the first reservoir holds aquantity of a second treatment agent and is structured to permit off-gasapplication of the second treatment agent from the first reservoir tocombine with a third treatment agent to form the first treatment agentin or on each disposable wipe of the plurality of successive disposablewipes.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the reusablewipe manipulator comprises a portion of a glove or mitten.
 11. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the reusable wipe manipulatorcomprises a discharge mechanism operable on demand by a user to dispensethe second treatment agent at a desired rate and/or quantity.
 12. Anapparatus for cleaning, deodorizing, disinfecting, or sterilizing asurface of an object, comprising: a disposable wipe to apply a firsttreatment agent to treat the object, the disposable wipe to form thefirst treatment agent in or on the disposable wipe at the time and placeof use of the disposable wipe; and a reusable wipe manipulatorconfigured to temporarily couple with the disposable wipe sufficientlyto move the disposable wipe over the surface in a cleaning motion withthe disposable wipe being in physical contact with the surface, thereusable wipe manipulator comprising a safety mechanism comprising astructural barrier normally disposed between a user's hand and alocation of formation of the first treatment agent in or on eachdisposable wipe of a successive plurality of individual disposablewipes, wherein: the reusable wipe manipulator is structured to carry andapply a second treatment agent for combination with a third treatmentagent, the second treatment agent and third treatment agent combining toform the first treatment agent, the reusable wipe manipulator furthercomprising a wipe support surface that is sufficiently transverselyflexible as to enable using the wipe support surface to wrap eachdisposable wipe of the successive plurality of individual disposablewipes around about 270 degrees of the circumference of a curved surfaceof a ½ inch diameter rod.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12,wherein: the reusable wipe manipulator is structured as a glove ormitten to receive a human hand in a substantially enclosed volume; andthe reusable wipe manipulator comprises an exposed surface of a firstreservoir to support a wipe and formed from a material capable oftemporarily and internally holding a second treatment agent to permitoff-gas release of the second treatment agent for combination with athird treatment agent in the wipe, the second treatment agent and thirdtreatment agent combining to form the first treatment agent.
 14. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the first treatment agent isunsafe for direct contact with human skin.
 15. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein: the reusable wipe manipulator carries a firstreservoir and a second reservoir, the first reservoir to hold a bulkquantity of a fluidized second treatment agent, the second reservoir tohold a quantity of a third treatment agent, the reusable wipemanipulator to dispense individual dose quantities of the secondtreatment agent and individual dose quantities of the third treatmentagent for combining in or on each of a plurality of successiveindividual disposable wipes to form the first treatment agent in or oneach of the plurality of successive individual disposable wipes; and thereusable wipe manipulator comprises a conduit in fluid communication ata first conduit end with the first reservoir to convey the secondtreatment agent for application of the second treatment agent to each ofthe plurality of successive individual disposable wipes.
 16. Theapparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a pump to urgeon-demand transmission of the second treatment agent through theconduit; and a dispersion element carried by the reusable wipemanipulator, the dispersion element being disposed in fluidcommunication with a second conduit end, the dispersion element todistribute treatment agent to a surface of a disposable wipe.